environmental challenges for natural resource based industries
TRANSCRIPT
ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES FOR NATURAL RESOURCE BASED NATURAL RESOURCE BASED
INDUSTRIES INDUSTRIES
DR. STEFANOS FOTIOU
REGIONAL COORDINATOR (ASIA PACIFIC): RESOURCE EFFICIENCY
UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME
CONTENTS
The need for change
Negative Impacts and Positive Benefits
Main Environmental Challenges
UNEP’s work
THE STATE OF OUR PLANET
20% of the world’s population consumes 80% of its resources.
If everyone consumed at this level, then
by 2050 (that is to say tomorrow!)it would take four extra planets to
provide the necessary resources
THE INDUSTRY’S RESPONSIBILITIES
The environment has become a major factor in corporate decision making.
Environmental issues are more and more associated with virtually all aspects of an organisation's management, from financing to production, from marketing to corporate reporting.
THE INDUSTRY’S RESPONSIBILITIES
In this scenario, it is all the more important to have a systematic and integrated approach to questions such as
How to manage environmental issues throughout the company's activities?
How to consistently and visibly improve a company's environmental performance?
HOW DO WE RESPOND
AssessmentPrinciplesActionReport
IDENTIFYING THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS
The main impacts on environmental sustainability come from industry’s:
Energy use and transportationLand useWater useEmissionsGeneration of wastes (and especially hazardous waste)
IDENTIFYING THE POSITIVE EFFECTS
The main contribution towards sustainability is based on the industry’s potential ability to:
Stimulate development and employment creation in disadvantaged, more remote or/and less-developed regions
Generate local income
AN
AS
SES
SM
EN
T
•Transportation •Land use•Water use•Use of energy•Waste
Consumption of resources
Production of goods
Production of financial resources
Consumption of goods
•Environmental conservation (?)•Development•Employment•Local income
ENVIRONMENTAL PRINCIPLES THE UN GLOBAL COMPACT
Support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges
Undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility
Encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies
PRECAUTIONARY APPROACH TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES
We need evident that an economic activity has positive or at least neutral effects on sustainability
When we are not certain of the impacts we follow a precautionary approach
Think and evaluate before you act
PROMOTE GREATER ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITYWho in the company currently has
authority to issue policies?Who has responsibility for
environmental issues?What are the most critical
environmental issues facing the company?
What are the main risks and opportunities associated with these issues?
PROMOTE GREATER ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
Which line managers are most directly affected by these issues?
What are the resource implications of addressing the risks/opportunities?
What further information is needed to develop an environmental plan?
TOOLS FOR CORPORATE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
Environmental Assessment Tools Environmental Management ToolsStandards and labels (ISO 14000, eco-label etch.)
Environmental Monitoring and Auditing Tools
Environmental Reporting and Communication Tools
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY TECHNOLOGIES
Potential Environmental and Social Benefits:
Conserve natural resourcesReduce quantity of waste and effluent generated
Reduce pollutionCreate local income Improve working conditions
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY TECHNOLOGIESPotential Economic BenefitsReduce raw material, energy and water costsReduce waste disposal and transportation costs
Increase returns by selling waste materials for reuse
Reduce costs from potential liabilities, risks & accidents
Improve productivity
UNEP’S WORK WITH INDUSTRY
Objectives Increase resource efficiency and reduce pollution over product life cycles and along supply chains
Increased investment in efficient, clean and safe industrial production methods
Consumer choice favours more resource efficient and environmentally friendly products
UNEP’S WORK WITH INDUSTRY
Selected activitiesThe UN Global CompactBusiness & Industry Dialogue MeetingsVoluntary InitiativesPartnershipsTools
THE UN GLOBAL COMPACT
The Standard Business Cycle The UNGC performance model
Plan
Do
Check
Measure
Rev
iew
Vision
Enablers
Results
Report
Review
BUSINESS & INDUSTRY DIALOGUE MEETINGSAnnual meetings; provide the
opportunity for UN officials and representatives of industry and trade associations, to:
Review progress made in implementing environmental management tools
Exchange information,Discuss production and consumption issues, and Assess the state of the 2002 Johannesburg Plan of Implementation.
VOLUNTARY INITIATIVES
Various sectorsBuilding and ConstructionTourism ITCAdvertising and communicationMining
Feasibility of an environmental initiative in the elastomer industry?
TOOLS
Environmental Management System Training Resource Kit (in association with the FIDIC and ICC)
Environmental Management System Handbook
Guide to ISO 14001 for Certification / Registration
I THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION
Stefanos FotiouRegional CoordinatorResource Efficiency
UNEP - [email protected]